IBRC 27-B-10

IDAHO BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
RARE BIRD REPORT FORM

SPECIES: Rose-breasted Grosbeak
HOW MANY: 1 adult male

REPORTER: Sue Norton 2529 N. Fry Street Boise, ID 83704 208 378-4248
REPORTER EMAIL: nortonsu@msn.com
OTHER OBSERVERS: none

DATE REPORT PREPARED: May 8, 2010
DATE SIGHTING OCCURRED: May 6, 2010

LOCALITY OF OBSERVATION: my backyard (see the above address) on the patio at a birdfeeder. I was about 15 feet from it as I sat on the couch reading the paper. I looked up and was surprised to see it there.
HABITAT: backyard
CONDITIONS: It was there about 3 minutes. I checked the feeder often throughout the day but did not see it again. The next two days brought Evening Grosbeaks but the Rose breasted. I could see it clearly but also looked at it through my binoculars. The sun was in the East since it was morning.

DID YOU TAKE NOTES?: Yes, later the same day
DID YOU CONSULT FIELD GUIDE OR OTHER REFERENCES?: Yes, later the same day
WHAT GUIDE(S) OR REFERENCE(S) DID YOU CONSULT?: The Sibley Field Guide to Birds copyright 2003

DESCRIPTION: Grosbeaks: It has a big beak. It had a rose-colored patch like a bib, a black head, a white belly, and a big beak.
BEHAVIOR: I was just sitting at the feeder eating seed.

HOW AND WHEN DID YOU POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BIRD, AND WHAT CLINCHED THE IDENTIFICATION FOR YOU? I knew as soon as I saw the rose-colored bib, white belly, and black head. That rose-colored patch is really distinctive.
HOW DID YOU ELIMINATE SIMILAR SPECIES, AND WHAT WERE THEY? I don't know anything else that looks like a male rose-breasted grosbeak.

EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES (AND SIMILAR SPECIES): I have seen rose breasted grosbeaks before when I have been birding with Golden Eagle Audubon Society and South west Idaho Birders.
GENERAL BIRDING EXPERIENCE: I have been birding for several years. I am an intermediate birder.

WERE PHOTO(S), VIDEO, AND/OR AUDIO OBTAINED BY YOU?: None